The UN Environment Programme named six leaders as 2024 Champions of the Earth for their significant contributions to environmental preservation. Honorees include Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples and the SEKEM initiative in Egypt, among others. The award recognizes efforts to combat land degradation and promote sustainable practices, highlighting the urgent need for global restoration initiatives.
On December 10, 2023, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recognized six distinguished environmental leaders as the 2024 Champions of the Earth in Nairobi, Kenya. The laureates represent diverse initiatives, including Brazil’s inaugural Minister of Indigenous Peoples and a program aimed at sustainable agriculture in Egypt. Each recipient was honored for their courageous leadership and innovative solutions addressing prominent issues such as land degradation, drought, and desertification.
The Champions of the Earth award is the United Nations’ premier environmental accolade, awarded annually since 2005. It highlights the efforts of individuals and organizations from various sectors committed to protecting both people and the environment. This year’s nominations particularly focused on finding champions who are actively restoring degraded lands and enhancing drought resilience.
Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director, emphasized the urgency of combating environmental degradation, as nearly 40 percent of the world’s land is already damaged. “The good news is that solutions already exist today, and around the world, extraordinary individuals and organizations are demonstrating that it is possible to defend and heal our planet,” she asserted. The work of these champions exemplifies the potential to reclaim and restore vital ecosystems through dedicated policies and collaborations, notably the involvement of Indigenous communities.
Among this year’s honorees, Sonia Guajajara, Brazil’s first Minister of Indigenous Peoples, received the award for Policy Leadership. For over twenty years, Ms. Guajajara has been a champion for Indigenous rights, successfully securing recognition for ten territories as Indigenous lands to help prevent deforestation. In the Inspiration and Action category, Amy Bowers Cordalis, an advocate for Indigenous rights, was acknowledged for her legal efforts to restore the Klamath River ecosystem in the United States.
Gabriel Paun, also recognized in the Inspiration and Action category, is the founder of Agent Green in Romania, where he has been instrumental in exposing illegal logging activities that threaten ancient forests. Lu Qi, a prominent scientist in China, was awarded in the Science and Innovation category for his pivotal role in the world’s largest afforestation project.
In the Lifetime Achievement category, Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil was lauded for his extensive work in promoting environmental sustainability through research and public engagement. Lastly, the SEKEM initiative in Egypt was honored in the Entrepreneurial Vision category for its successful transition of farmers to sustainable agriculture practices, effectively transforming desert land into productive agricultural areas.
The UNEP highlights the critical need for concerted global efforts to mitigate desertification and its impacts on billions worldwide. Following the UN General Assembly’s declaration of 2021–2030 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, various organizations—including UNEP and FAO—are dedicating efforts to rehabilitate and restore ecosystems worldwide. The announcement of the 2024 Champions of the Earth took place on Human Rights Day, coinciding with significant discussions at the COP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Champions of the Earth award, established by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2005, is the UN’s highest environmental honor. It recognizes notable contributions across multiple sectors, focusing on individuals and organizations making significant strides in environmental protection. Recent environmental challenges, particularly regarding land degradation and desertification, have emphasized the importance of innovative solutions and dedicated leadership in their mitigation. The recent award ceremony aimed to highlight champions who spearhead restoration efforts amidst worsening global environmental conditions, such as increased drought occurrences affecting vast populations.
The recognition of the 2024 Champions of the Earth underscores the critical role of leadership in environmental conservation. As environmental challenges grow more severe, the innovative solutions and dedication demonstrated by these honorees serve as a beacon of hope. The combined efforts of public leaders, activists, and Indigenous representatives hold significant promise in reclaiming and preserving the planet’s essential ecosystems for future generations.
Original Source: news.un.org
